Laptop computer case

ABSTRACT

A laptop computer case according to the present disclosure is adaptable to comfortably cradle an operating laptop computer on the user&#39;s lap without removing the laptop computer from the case. The case places the operating laptop computer at an ergonomic inclination suitable for comfortable use by the user while providing a padded user wrist support while providing accommodations for laptop computer heat dissipation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/458,388 filed Mar. 31, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of laptopcomputer case and more particularly to a laptop computer case adaptableto comfortably and safely cradle an operating laptop computer.

[0004] 2. Background Information

[0005] Some laptop computer users transport their laptop computer in aprotective case or bag. The computer must be removed from the protectivecase or bag when used, leaving the laptop computer vulnerable to shockor impact damage. The protective cases or bags are not suitable foreffective support of an operating laptop computer held in the lap of theuser.

[0006] Laptop computers may be difficult to use when supported directlyon a lap of a user. A laptop computer user's arms may tend to tire overprolonged periods of use of a lap held laptop computer without wristsupport. The angle of the user's lap may make the keyboard of a laptopcomputer held in the user's lap slope away from the user requiring theuser to adopt an uncomfortable orientation of their hands in order toaccess the keyboard. The bottom surface of the laptop computer may notfrictionally engage the users lap making the laptop computer slidearound in the users lap.

[0007] Many users try to reduce these difficulties by placing a pillowon their lap and the laptop computer on the pillow. The user mayorientate the pillow to provide wrist support and support the laptopcomputer in an ergonomic position. The soft structure of the pillow willgradually yield precluding effective user wrist support and support ofthe laptop computer in an ergonomic position. The pillow also tends toinsulate the laptop computer hampering the heat dissipation mechanism ofthe laptop computer which may result in computer damage.

[0008] What is needed is a laptop computer case that is adaptable tocomfortably cradle an operating laptop computer on the user's lapwithout removing the laptop computer from the case. The case shouldplace the operating laptop computer at an ergonomic inclination suitablefor comfortable use by the user while providing a padded user wristsupport while providing accommodations for laptop computer heatdissipation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A laptop computer case according to the present disclosure isadaptable to comfortably cradle an operating laptop computer on theuser's lap without removing the laptop computer from the case. The caseplaces the operating laptop computer at an ergonomic inclinationsuitable for comfortable use by the user while providing a padded userwrist support and one or more computer accessory access doors while alsoproviding accommodations for laptop computer heat dissipation.

[0010] The laptop computer case includes a tray having a plurality ofengagement supports and a back edge. The engagement stops are adjustablerelative to the tray to accommodate different computers. The laptopcomputer case also includes a lid connected to a hinge spacer at theback edge by a hinge and the hinge spacer is connected to the tray atthe back edge by another hinge. The lid further includes a pad to engagethe computer when the computer case is closed to provide shockresistance. When the computer case of the present disclosure is open asdescribed, the pad insulates a user lap or other surface from heatgenerated by an operating laptop, and the pad also frictionally engagesa users lap to provide a secure cradle for the operating laptopcomputer.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the laptopcomputer case may include a retractable carrying strap that serves as acase carrying handle in the fully retracted position. In anotherembodiment of the present disclosure, the laptop computer case mayinclude an illumination device. In another embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the laptop computer case may include a retractable mousepad. In still another embodiment of the present disclosure, the laptopcomputer case may include retractable privacy and glare reducing sidescreens.

[0012] These and other features and advantages of this invention willbecome further apparent from the detailed description and accompanyingfigures that follow. In the figures and description, numerals indicatethe various features of the invention, like numerals referring to likefeatures throughout both the drawings and the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a laptop computer case in aclosed position according to the present disclosure.

[0014]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 1A in an openposition.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 1A in the openposition cradling a laptop computer.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a section cut view of the case of FIG. 1B.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a laptop computer case in the openposition according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a top view of the case of FIG. 1B in a closed position.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a top view of a laptop computer case in a closedposition according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in a currently preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, case 10 includes lid 14 attachedby hinge 48 to spacer 54 and spacer 54 attached by hinge 46 to tray 12.Hinge 46 may be located on side 24 of tray 12 at any suitable location.Hinge 48 may be located on side 32 of lid 14 at any suitable location.Case 10 is in closed position 38 when spacer 54 abuts side 24 of tray12, and when edge 22B of side 22 of tray 12, abuts edge 30B of side 30of lid 14. In closed position 38 case 10 can cradle and enclose a laptopcomputer and provide shock resistance.

[0021] Case 10 is repositioned from closed position 38 to open position116 when lid 14 and spacer 54 are pivoted, relative to tray 12, abouthinges 48 and hinge 46, respectively, until lid 14 is located under tray12 as shown in FIG. 1B. In open position 116 edge 22T of side 22 of lid14 abuts edge 30T of side 30 of tray 12. A user can reposition case 10from position 38 to position 116 without removing a cradled laptopcomputer. The user can operate the laptop computer without removing itfrom case 10 when case 10 is in position 116.

[0022] In position 116, the connection of tray 12 to lid 14 by hinges 46and 48 separated by spacer 54 ergonomically inclines tray 12 at angle136 relative to top surface 14T of lid 14. When in position 116, side 30of tray 12 is at a lower elevation relative to the user than side 24thus creating an ergonomic incline. When tray 12 is at angle 136relative to lid 14 an operating laptop computer cradled by case 10 isplaced in a comfortable position for access by a user. Angle 136 mayvary with the orientation of lid 14 relative to tray 12. The relativeorientation of lid 14 and tray 12 may be controlled by engagementelements located along edges22T and 30T of lid 14 and tray12reapectively. Angle 136 may also be changed by changing the locationof hinge 46 on side 24, the location of hinge 48 on to side 32 and/orheight 52 of spacer 54.

[0023] Space 94 is formed when case 10 is in position 116. Space 94provides air access between tray 12 and lid 14. Air access may aid heatdissipation from space 94. Air access in space 94 changes with variancesin angle 136. Changes in angle 136 directly affect air access and mayincrease heat dissipation from between tray 12 and lid 14.

[0024] Pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 engage and support a laptop computerwithin case 10. Pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 are located between the legs,feet or support structure of the laptop computer and tray 12 in anysuitable location relative to tray 12 and laptop computer. Pads 70, 72,74 and 76 provide shock absorption, support to the laptop computer andallow air access in space 82 between tray 12 and laptop computer 118 toaid heat dissipation as shown in FIG. 3. Pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 maybeany suitable shape. Pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 may removably engage tray 12by any suitable means of engagement. Pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 may belaterally relocated, relative to tray 12 by means 130 attached atlocation 130″. Means 130 may include adhesive or slotted attachment orhook and loop attachment or any suitable means of lateral relocationattachment. Lateral relocation of pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 permits padlocations suitable for cradling various sized laptop computers. Pads 70,72, 74 and 76 height above tray 12 may be adjusted by spacer 100 topromote cradling of the laptop computer and to secure the laptopcomputer between pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 and lid 14 when case 10 is inposition 38. Spacer 100 may include any suitable means of changingheight of pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 above tray 12 including but not limitedto pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 of varying heights or extendable pads 70, 72,74 and 76. Pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 may be fabricated from rubber, plasticor other suitable material.

[0025] Liner pad 50, lining lid 14, provides frictional engagement,insulation and cushioning. In position 38, liner pad 50 may frictionallyengage laptop computer 118 to secure and cushion the laptop computerbetween liner 50 and pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 within closed case 10. Inposition 116, liner 50 provides cushioning between the user and lid 14and frictionally engages the lap of the user to increase stability andreduce slippage of case 10. Liner 50 may reduce heat transferred fromcase 10 to the user while in position 116 and resting in the lap of theuser. Liner 50 may be fabricated from open cell foam, closed celled foamor any suitable material. Liner 50 may be attached to lid 14 by anysuitable means. As shown in FIG. 3, liner 50 may extend beyond theenvelope of lid 14 to minimize the likelihood of contact between a userlap and lid 14 when case 10 is in open position 116.

[0026] Tray 12 may also include material 80 secured to surface 132.Material 80 may conduct heat radiated from laptop computer 118. The heatconducted into material 80 may be dissipated in spaces 94 and 82.Material 80 may be fabricated from any suitable material. Material 80may be attached to tray 12 by any suitable means.

[0027] A laptop computer is located in case 10 so that the computer issecured against lateral movement relative to tray 12 by engagement stops40, 41 42 and 44. Engagement stops 40, 41, 42 and 44 may removably andadjustably engage the laptop computer using engagement elements 40′,41′, 42′ and 44′ respectively. Engagement elements 40′, 41′, 42′ and 44′engage any suitable engagement location such as engagement locations40″, 41″, 42″, and 44″ respectively of tray 12 Engagement elements 40′,41′, 42′ and 44′ permit lateral relocation, relative to tray 12, ofengagement stops 40, 41 42 and 44 respectively. Engagement elements 40′,41′, 42′ and 44′ may also permit vertical adjustment, relative to tray12, of engagement stops 40, 41 42 and 44 respectively. Engagementelements 40′, 41′, 42′ and 44′ may include but are not limited toadhesive attachment or slotted attachment or hook and loop attachment orany suitable means lateral relocation attachment. Case 10 may be adaptedto engage laptop computers of various sizes by lateral relocation ofengagement stops 40, 41, 42 and 44.

[0028] Support 56 is formed by side 30 and is attached by hinge 138 orother suitable means to tray 12. Support 56 may provide support to thewrists of a user operating a cradled laptop computer when support 56 isopened and case 10 is in position 116. Support 56 may be fabricated fromplastic, titanium, carbon fiber composite or any suitable material.

[0029] Computer connector access 24′ may be provided through side 24.Access 24′ may be a rectangular window as shown in FIG. 1B or it may bea complete removal of a portion of side 24 as shown in FIG. 4. Access24′ may adopt any suitable shape and may be located in any appropriateportion of side 24. If access 24′ is incorporated as a window as shownin FIG. 1B, more than one access 24′ may be incorporated as necessary.Care must be exercised not to remove too much of side 24 by providingaccess 24′ that the structural integrity of case 10 is endangered.

[0030] A computer access door such as door 78 may be attached by hinge86 or other suitable means to first side 26 or second side 28 or bothfirst side 26 and second side 28 of tray 12 or other suitable locationson case 10. Door 78 is located and sized to allow access to a laptopcomputer's side mounted accessories, including but not limited to CD orfloppy disk drives, without removing the laptop computer from case 10.To close door 78, door 78 may be pivoted until door 78 is substantiallyflush with the side to which it is attached.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2, laptop computer 118 may be cradled ontray 12 by pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 with first corner 124 and secondcorner 126 of laptop computer 118 engaged by engagement stops 44 and 42,respectively. First rear corner 122 and second rear corner 122′ oflaptop computer 118 are engaged by engagement stops 40 and 41respectively.

[0032] Support 56 may include pad 110. Pad 110 provides cushioningbetween the user and support 56. Pad 110 may be fabricated from anysuitable material. Support 56 provides wrist support for the user whenpivoted outward from tray 12 about hinge 138 until opened to position68. When closed, pad 110 provides cushioning between laptop computer 118and support 56. Door 78 can pivot outward from tray 12 on hinge 86 toposition 88 to gain access to laptop computer 118 side mountedaccessories without removing laptop computer 118 from case 10.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 3, pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 may be located inany suitable location relative to tray 12 and laptop computer 118 toengage support 102. Support 102 may be feet or legs of laptop computer118 or other laptop computer 118 support structure. Pads 70, 72, 74 and76 may be located under support 102 to promote proper load transfer intolaptop computer 118. Improper load transfer may damage laptop computer118. Space 82 is formed when pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 are placed betweensupport 102 and tray 12. Space 82 provides air access between laptopcomputer 118 and tray 12 to aid heat dissipation from laptop computer118. Varying the size of pads 70, 72, 74 and 76 will vary the amount ofair access in space 82.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 4, in a currently preferred embodiment ofthe present disclosure, handle 16 may be retractably attached to lid 14.Handle 16 may adjust to varying lengths to accommodate a grip or ashoulder strap. Handle 16 may exit lid 14 through slots 18 and 20. Slots18 and 20 may be located in any suitable location in lid 14. Handle 16may be a fabric strap or a plastic strap or a combination of beadedsteel cable with a padded strap or other suitable materials orcombinations of materials.

[0035] Screens 90 and 96 may provide glare reduction during operation oflaptop computer 118 and a privacy shield to prevent viewing of laptopcomputer 118 by those near the user. Screens 90 and 96 may be removablyattached to tray 12 so that a user may gain access to accessoriesmounted on the sides of laptop 118 by removing screens 90 and 96 fromtray 12. Screens 90 and 96 may be located in any suitable location.Strap 106 may removably engage laptop 118 so that when laptop computer118 is open, strap 106 may be draped over the open laptop computer 118to hold up screens 90 and 96. During extension, screens 90 and 96 pivotabout line 108 until screens 90 and 96 are extended. Screens 90 and 96may have a fan shape or other suitable shape when extended. Screens 90and 96 may be retracted against tray 12 and fit inside case 10 when inposition 38. Screens 90 and 96 may be opaque. Screens 90 and 96 andstrap 106 may be fabricated from fabric or any suitable material.

[0036] Light 128 may be attached to screen 90 or screen 96 or laptopcomputer 118 or tray 12 or lid 14 or any location suitable by anysuitable means to provide illumination of laptop computer 118.Illumination from light 128 may be provided by incandescent bulb orbulbs or light emitting diode or diodes or other suitable illuminationsource. Illumination power may be provided by a discrete battery or aconnection to the cradled laptop computer power supply or other suitablepower source.

[0037] Pad 64 may be removably attached or hingeably attached orslideably attached or attached by other suitable means. Pad 64 mayslideably extend or pivot out of slot 104. Slot 104 may be located onfirst side 26 or second side 28 or other suitable locations on tray 12or lid 14. Pad 64 may be sized to provide support during operation of acomputer mouse. Pad 64 may be fabricated from plastic, titanium, carbonfiber composite or any suitable material.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 5, handle 16 may be retractably attached inany suitable location in lid 14. Handle 16 may be attached to lid 14 atattachment 114 and spooled around pulley 66. Biasing means 112 may applyretraction force 98 to pulley 66 which then transmits this force tohandle 16 to promote handle 16 retraction into case 10. Biasing means112 may be provided by spring or elastic material or other suitablemeans. Attach point 114 and pulley 66 may be located in any suitablelocation in lid 14.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 6, in another currently preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, case 10 may include lock 92. Lock92 may be attached to case 10 at any suitable location. Handle 16 mayinclude end 58. End 58 may be removable from attach point 114 andwithdrawn from lid 14. Handle 16 may be wrapped around object 134 andremovably engaged by lock 92 to lock case 10 to object 134 when case 10is in closed position 38. Lock 92 may lock lid 14 to tray 12.

[0040] Having now described the invention in accordance with therequirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art willunderstand how to make changes and modifications in the presentinvention to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Suchchanges and modifications may be made without departing from the scopeand spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims andtheir legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laptop computer case comprising: a tray havinga back side, a bottom and at least one support; a first air space formedbetween the laptop computer and the tray by the at least one supportengaging the laptop computer; a lid having a liner pad, a top and a backside; a spacer; a first hinge attaching the spacer to the back side ofthe lid; a second hinge attaching the spacer to the back side of thetray; and a second air space formed between the lid and the tray whenlid and the spacer are rotated about the first and second hingesrespectively to bring the top of the lid adjacent the bottom of thetray.
 2. The laptop computer case according to claim 1 wherein the atleast one support further comprises: at least one engagement stop, eachof the at least one engagement stops secured to the tray at anattachment location; and at least one pad each of the at least one padssecured to the tray at a pad attachment location.
 3. The laptop computercase according to claim 2 wherein the attachment location of the atleast one engagement stop may be adjusted relative to the tray, and thepad attachment location of the at least one pad may be adjusted relativeto the tray.
 4. The laptop computer case according to claim 1 whereinthe tray further comprises: a front side hingeably attached to the tray;and a wrist support secured to the front side, the front side rotatingto expose the wrist pad for use.
 5. The laptop computer case accordingto claim 1 further comprising at least one door access hingeablyattached to the tray.
 6. The laptop computer case according to claim 1further comprising: at least one privacy screen.
 7. The laptop computercase according to claim 1 further comprising: a carrying strapretractably attached to the case, and a biasing means to retract thecarrying strap within the case.
 8. The laptop computer case according toclaim 7 wherein the biasing means further comprises: a pulley attachedto the biasing means, the handle is looped around the pulley andattached to the case.
 9. The laptop computer case according to claim 1further comprising: a light removably attached to the case.
 10. Thelaptop computer case according to claim 1 further comprising: a mousepad.